Heptacodium miconioides plant named ‘SMNHMRF’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Heptacodium cultivar named ‘SMNHMRF’ is disclosed, characterized by early blooming and compact plants. Sepals are ornamental, elongating in the Fall, and turning bright red. The new variety is a Heptacodium, normally used for outdoor ornamental purposes as a large shrub or small tree.

Latin name of the genus and species: Heptacodium miconioides.

Variety denomination: ‘SMNHMRF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The newvariety was discovered as the result of a planned mutation breedingprogram. Unnamed, unpatented Heptacodium miconioides were treated withan x-ray treatment. The treated plant material was grown out andobserved for commercially interesting characteristics. The inventordiscovered the new variety in 2008 at a commercial nursery in GrandHaven, Mich.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SMNHMRF’ was first performedduring 2013 at a commercial nursery in Grand Haven, Mich. by softwoodcuttings. Subsequent propagation of three generations has shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and have been reproducedtrue to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMNHMRF’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SMNHMRF’ grown in Grand Haven, Mich. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘SMNHMRF’ as a new anddistinct Heptacodium miconioides cultivar:

-   -   1. Early blooming.    -   2. Showy blooms.    -   3. Compact plant form.    -   4. Large, colorful bracts.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMNHMRF’ are similar to plants of the parentin most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the newcultivar ‘SMNHMRF’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. Bracts of the new variety turn vibrant red, bracts of the        parent variety are blush pink to pale red.    -   2. Plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the        parent variety.    -   3. The new variety produces larger inflorescence than plants of        the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The inventor is not aware of other commercial varieties or Heptacodiumspecies to compare with.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SMNHMRF’ in Grand Haven, Mich., during Summer. Age ofthe plant in FIG. 1 is approximately 3 years.

FIG. 2 illustrates flowers of ‘SMNHMRF’.

FIG. 3 illustrates calyces in the Fall.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The 2015Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe 2-year-old ‘SMNHSDD’ plants grown in a polygreenhouse, in Grand Haven, Mich., USA. The growing temperature rangedfrom approximately 18° C. to 27° C. daytime and 5° to 10° C. at night.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes. Measurements were taken during August of 2017.

-   Botanical classification: Heptacodium miconioides ‘SMNHMRF’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical method: Softwood cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: About 30 days at 18° to 27° C.-   Time to produce a young plant: About 2 to 3 months at 18 to 27 deg.    C.-   Root description: Woody. Brown roots not accurately measured with an    R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Perennial shrub or small tree.-   Commercial size pots: 2, 3 and 5 gallon.-   Height: 122 cm.-   Spread: 92 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Lateral branch characteristics:    -   -   Quantity.—Average 11.        -   Length.—Average 41 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 3.5 mm.        -   Shape in cross-section.—Round.        -   Texture.—Non-pubescent, no lenticels.        -   Aspect and angle.—5° to 90° from center of plant.        -   Color.—Upper surface near Greyed-Orange 166B. Lower surface            near Yellow-Green 145B.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, single.        -   Average length.—Approximately 10 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 4 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Asymmetrical broad deltate.        -   Apex.—Aristate to acuminate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire, ciliate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Dusty, slightly rough.        -   Texture of lower surface.—Glabrous with distinct veins.            Pubescent on mid rib.        -   Color.—Young foliage: Upper side: Near RHS Green 143A. Under            side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature foliage: Upper side: Near            RHS Green 143A. Under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature Fall            foliage: Upper side: Near RHS Green 143A. Under side: Near            RHS Green 138B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Venation.—Type: Palmate. Color: Venation color upper side:            Near RHS Yellow-Green 153D. Venation color under side: Near            RHS Yellow-Green 150D. Petiole: Length: Average 1.0 cm.            Diameter: Average 2.5 mm. Texture: Pubescent upper and lower            surfaces. Color: Upper side: Near Greyed-Orange 168A. Under            side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Late Summer to Fall.-   Inflorescence form: Panicles.-   Flowers per inflorescence: Average 30, with about 50 unopened buds.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Width.—32 cm.        -   Height.—27 cm.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Type.—Single, rotate.        -   Aspect.—Flowers face all directions, outward and upward,            also downward, but not drooping.        -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet, mildly intense.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Number.—5.        -   Shape.—Near linear.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Tip shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Truncate, unfused.        -   Length.—Average 7 mm.        -   Width.—Average 3 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Soft, smooth, delicate. Lower: Soft, smooth,            delicate.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: White N155D. Under            surface: White N155D. Fully opened: Upper surface: White            N155D. Under surface: White N155D. Fading: Upper surface:            White N155D. Under surface: White N155D.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Length.—1 cm.        -   Diameter.—5 mm.        -   Color.—Near White 155B.-   Sepals:    -   -   Development.—Very small and inconspicuous until Fall, then            elongating and changing color.        -   Arrangement.—Whorl.        -   Shape.—Narrowly triangular.        -   Tip shape.—Acute.        -   Base shape.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Quantity per flower.—6.        -   Length.—Spring/Summer: 1 mm. Fall: 1 cm.        -   Width.—Spring/Summer: 1 mm. Fall: 3 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Smooth. Lower: Smooth.        -   Color.—Upper: Spring/Summer: Yellow-Green 145B. Fall:            Red-Purple 60C. Lower: Spring/Summer: Yellow-Green 145B.            Fall: Red-Purple 60C.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—3 mm.        -   Diameter.—2 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green 145B.        -   Orientation.—Upright and outward at angles between 0 to 40            degrees.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Pedicel: Not present.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—About 5.        -   Filament length.—5 mm.        -   Filament color.—White N155D.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Club-shaped.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Color.—Brown N200A.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Scant. Color: Greyed-Yellow 160B.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—3 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 5 mm. Color: White N155D.-   Stigma:    -   -   Shape.—Globular.        -   Color.—White N155D.        -   Ovary color.—White N155D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Heptacodium observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Observed to tolerate high temperatures, to    36° C. and low temperatures to at least −32° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Heptacodium plantnamed ‘SMNHMRF’ as herein illustrated and described.